As preparations intensify for the second phase of nationwide cartographic mapping, a key step leading to the December 2026 National Population and Housing Census, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has commenced a two-day refresher training for contracted cartographic mapping field staff across the four Northern Region districts: Bombali, Tonkolili, Falaba, and Koinadugu.
The training is being held simultaneously across the districts at the following locations Bombali: Wesleyan Church Conference Hall, Makeni. Tonkolili: Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Magburaka. Koinadugu: Kabala Youth Center. Falaba: Umu Dukuray Hall, Mongor.
The refresher sessions are led by the Regional Mapping Coordinators (RMCs) in collaboration with District Mapping Coordinators (DMCs) and District Census Officers (DCOs). The aim is to strengthen field operations, ensure uniform mapping standards, and enhance supervision practices.
In Bombali and Tonkolili, four teams each comprising four mappers and four team leads are undergoing training, while in Falaba and Koinadugu, two teams consisting of four mappers and two team leads each are being trained. The field staff are being equipped to thoroughly map all listed sections designated for the second phase of cartographic mapping.
The two-day refresher training, scheduled for 12–13 January 2026, is designed to sharpen the technical skills, knowledge, and field readiness of both mappers and supervisors. Key areas of focus include accurate boundary identification, proper use of mapping tools, strict adherence to census standards, effective field supervision.
Cartographic mapping is a critical component of census preparations, ensuring complete coverage, minimizing omissions or duplications, and providing a reliable framework for data collection during the nationwide census.
The ongoing training demonstrates Sierra Leone’s commitment to delivering a credible, well-organized, and inclusive National Population and Housing Census, highlighting the importance of continuous capacity building for field staff in achieving a dependable census in December 2026.